Insect herbivory dampens Subarctic birch forest C sink response to warming

Silfver, Tarja; Heiskanen, Lauri; Aurela, Mika; Myller, Kristiina; Karhu, Kristiina; Meyer, Nele; Tuovinen, Juha‐Pekka; Oksanen, Elina; Rousi, Matti; Mikola, Juha

doi:10.1038/s41467-020-16404-4

Cited by 24 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…reduce growth potential of some PFTs under warming and rising CO2 concentrations (Silfver et al, 2020) and were also not included in our simulation.…”

Section: Accepted Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Arctic Plant Functional Types in a Land Surface Model Using Above‐ and Belowground Field Observations

Sulman

Salmon

Iversen

et al. 2021

J Adv Model Earth Syst

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Biomass measurements of arctic plants in the Seward Peninsula were used to develop nine arctic plant functional types in the E3SM Land Model • New plant functional types included mosses, lichens, graminoids, and shrubs of different height classes and leaf habits • Simulations across a gradient of plant communities showed how variations in plant traits and soil depth drive different biomass patterns Accepted ArticleThis article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as

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“…reduce growth potential of some PFTs under warming and rising CO2 concentrations (Silfver et al, 2020) and were also not included in our simulation.…”

Section: Accepted Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Arctic Plant Functional Types in a Land Surface Model Using Above‐ and Belowground Field Observations

Sulman

Salmon

Iversen

et al. 2021

J Adv Model Earth Syst

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“…Herbivores alter element cycling in terrestrial ecosystems (Bardgett & Wardle, 2003, 2010; Schmitz et al., 2018; Wardle et al., 2004). While less conspicuous than mammals, insect herbivores can exert a similar or even stronger control than mammals on ecosystem functioning (Hunter, 2001, Kristensen et al., 2020; Lovett et al., 2002; Risch et al., 2018; Silfver et al., 2020), particularly in forest ecosystems, where their impact is likely to intensify substantially with global change (Logan et al., 2003). Insect herbivory may cause early leaf abscission (Karban, 2007; Zvereva & Kozlov, 2014), leaf consumption (Galmán et al., 2018; Kozlov et al., 2015), alteration of aboveground versus belowground allocation of photosynthates (Ayres et al., 2004; Kristensen et al., 2020), and induction of plant defenses (Fürstenberg‐Hägg et al., 2013; Halitschke et al., 2008; Haukioja, 2005; Kessler et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the mountain birch litter is more difficult to decompose than other types of detritus in these forests (Freschet et al., 2012), so herbivory on this species is particularly important for ecosystem level processes (Stark et al., 2007), partly through accelerating the recycling of resources in soils (Kristensen et al., 2018). The consequences of herbivory, by primarily the geometrid moths Epirrita autumnata and Operophtera brumata, have been demonstrated in terms of plant traits (Haukioja, 2003; Karlsson et al., 2004), plant (Jepsen et al., 2013; Sandén et al., 2020) and soil community composition (Kristensen et al., 2018; Parker et al., 2016; Saravesi et al., 2015), soil nutrient and carbon (C) turnover (Kaukonen et al., 2013; Kristensen et al., 2018; Parker et al., 2016; Sandén et al., 2020), and photosynthetic C‐fixation (Bjerke et al., 2014; Heliasz et al., 2011; Silfver et al., 2020). Nonetheless, quantification of one of the key mechanisms driving these changes—canopy‐to‐soil fluxes of C, N, and P through insect deposits—is still lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Background insect herbivory increases with local elevation but makes minor contribution to element cycling along natural gradients in the Subarctic

Kristensen

Michelsen

Metcalfe

2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Herbivores can exert major controls over biogeochemical cycling. As invertebrates are highly sensitive to temperature shifts (ectothermal), the abundances of insects in high‐latitude systems, where climate warming is rapid, is expected to increase. In subarctic mountain birch forests, research has focussed on geometrid moth outbreaks, while the contribution of background insect herbivory (BIH) to elemental cycling is poorly constrained. In northern Sweden, we estimated BIH along 9 elevational gradients distributed across a gradient in regional elevation, temperature, and precipitation to allow evaluation of consistency in local versus regional variation. We converted foliar loss via BIH to fluxes of C, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) from the birch canopy to the soil to compare with other relevant soil inputs of the same elements and assessed different abiotic and biotic drivers of the observed variability. We found that leaf area loss due to BIH was ~1.6% on average. This is comparable to estimates from tundra, but considerably lower than ecosystems at lower latitudes. The C, N, and P fluxes from canopy to soil associated with BIH were 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than the soil input from senesced litter and external nutrient sources such as biological N fixation, atmospheric deposition of N, and P weathering estimated from the literature. Despite the minor contribution to overall elemental cycling in subarctic birch forests, the higher quality and earlier timing of the input of herbivore deposits to soils compared to senesced litter may make this contribution disproportionally important for various ecosystem functions. BIH increased significantly with leaf N content as well as local elevation along each transect, yet showed no significant relationship with temperature or humidity, nor the commonly used temperature proxy, absolute elevation. The lack of consistency between the local and regional elevational trends calls for caution when using elevation gradients as climate proxies.

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“…BVOC emissions are predicted to increase in response to long-term warming. To detect the effect of warming, plant BVOC emissions have been collected in experiments with plants grown in plots with either ambient temperatures or regulated warming with temperatures maintained at a target elevated level using heaters, e.g., modulated infra-red (IR) radiators [ 62 , 63 ]. The effects of warming on coniferous species have been investigated in Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) and Norway spruce ( Picea abies ).…”

Section: Effects Of Warming and Light On Bvoc Emissions From Trees And Rhizospherementioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of Climate Change and Herbivory to Affect the Release and Atmospheric Reactions of BVOCs from Boreal and Subarctic Forests

Holopainen

Kivimäenpää

et al. 2021

Molecules

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Compared to most other forest ecosystems, circumpolar boreal and subarctic forests have few tree species, and are prone to mass outbreaks of herbivorous insects. A short growing season with long days allows rapid plant growth, which will be stimulated by predicted warming of polar areas. Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) from soil and vegetation could be substantial on sunny and warm days and biotic stress may accelerate emission rates. In the atmosphere, BVOCs are involved in various gas-phase chemical reactions within and above forest canopies. Importantly, the oxidation of BVOCs leads to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. SOA particles scatter and absorb solar radiation and grow to form cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and participate in cloud formation. Through BVOC and moisture release and SOA formation and condensation processes, vegetation has the capacity to affect the abiotic environment at the ecosystem scale. Recent BVOC literature indicates that both temperature and herbivory have a major impact on BVOC emissions released by woody species. Boreal conifer forest is the largest terrestrial biome and could be one of the largest sources of biogenic mono- and sesquiterpene emissions due to the capacity of conifer trees to store terpene-rich resins in resin canals above and belowground. Elevated temperature promotes increased diffusion of BVOCs from resin stores. Moreover, insect damage can break resin canals in needles, bark, and xylem and cause distinctive bursts of BVOCs during outbreaks. In the subarctic, mountain birch forests have cyclic outbreaks of Geometrid moths. During outbreaks, trees are often completely defoliated leading to an absence of BVOC-emitting foliage. However, in the years following an outbreak there is extended shoot growth, a greater number of leaves, and greater density of glandular trichomes that store BVOCs. This can lead to a delayed chemical defense response resulting in the highest BVOC emission rates from subarctic forest in the 1–3 years after an insect outbreak. Climate change is expected to increase insect outbreaks at high latitudes due to warmer seasons and arrivals of invasive herbivore species. Increased BVOC emission will affect tropospheric ozone (O3) formation and O3 induced oxidation of BVOCs. Herbivore-induced BVOC emissions from deciduous and coniferous trees are also likely to increase the formation rate of SOA and further growth of the particles in the atmosphere. Field experiments measuring the BVOC emission rates, SOA formation rate and particle concentrations within and above the herbivore attacked forest stands are still urgently needed.

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Insect herbivory dampens Subarctic birch forest C sink response to warming

Cited by 24 publications

References 55 publications

Integrating Arctic Plant Functional Types in a Land Surface Model Using Above‐ and Belowground Field Observations

Integrating Arctic Plant Functional Types in a Land Surface Model Using Above‐ and Belowground Field Observations

Background insect herbivory increases with local elevation but makes minor contribution to element cycling along natural gradients in the Subarctic

Potential of Climate Change and Herbivory to Affect the Release and Atmospheric Reactions of BVOCs from Boreal and Subarctic Forests

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